DEHLI(Web Desk)-Vijay successfully proved his majority in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, just three days after being sworn in as chief minister. The trust vote marked another major milestone for Vijay and his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, which emerged as the single largest party in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections before gathering support from smaller parties and independent legislators to form the government.
The floor test turned dramatic as divisions within All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam became visible inside the assembly. A rebel faction led by senior leaders C V Shanmugam and SP Velumani decided to back Vijay, claiming they were respecting the people’s mandate. The group accused another faction led by party general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami of indirectly helping the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.
Although the rebel bloc had earlier claimed support from around 30 AIADMK legislators, only 25 members eventually voted in favour of Vijay during the confidence motion due to split voting within the party. Meanwhile, the faction loyal to Palaniswami maintained its opposition to the new government.
The assembly session also witnessed a walkout by the DMK. Opposition leader Udhayanidhi Stalin criticised both the AIADMK rebels and Vijay’s leadership during the debate. He questioned how MLAs who contested under the NDA alliance with the BJP could now support Vijay’s administration. Stalin also accused Vijay of failing to properly thank voters in his constituency after the election victory.
Declaring that nearly 65 percent of voters had not supported TVK, Stalin announced that DMK legislators would walk out of the House before the voting process. He urged the new government not to politicise welfare schemes introduced by the previous administration.
Vijay also faced criticism over the appointment of astrologer Rickey Radhan Pandit Vetrivel as Officer on Special Duty to the chief minister. Several opposition leaders and allies argued that such a position should not be linked to astrology or personal beliefs. Soon after securing victory in the trust vote, the government revoked Vetrivel’s appointment, signalling a response to the criticism.
After winning the floor test, Vijay promised to lead a secular and inclusive administration. Addressing the assembly, he described his government as one focused on social justice, equal opportunity, and governance beyond caste or religious divisions. He assured the public that his administration would serve all citizens equally and avoid political vendetta while working toward development and stability in Tamil Nadu.
